Category: International

The lead up to Friday night’s ‘Battle of Britain’ has been overshadowed by controversy over England and Scotland’s lack of permission to display poppies whilst playing. FIFA have refused to clarify their stance and the two home nations have confirmed they will defy any ban imposed. An emotional backdrop fuels an inevitably passionate occasion. The last time England and Scotland met in a competitive fixture was November 1999, in a match that saw Don Hutchinson head Scotland to a 1-0 victory, whilst preventing England from managing a single shot on target. A lack of…

So after all the shenanigans that have gone on in the last week, Sam Allardyce has gone and ‘company’ man, Gareth Southgate, after declining in the summer, has taken on the caretaker role of the England national football team. He has been provisionally given the rest of the games in 2016 (3 qualifiers and a home friendly against Spain), what an opportunity this is for him to make his employers at the FA forgo the search for another man, it is all in his own hands. DECISIONS DECISIONS DECISIONS Southgate, the under-21…

The Olympics in Rio has had some negative press pre-tournament and whilst there have been odd instances and issues once it has begun, the sport has been the main story with some outstanding performances across the competing nations. Brazil as the home country have won three gold medals at the time of this blog being posted, but the one they crave more than any other is the men’s football Olympic title, the only international competition their side has never won. In London 2012 they made the final but lost surprisingly to Mexico…

Good afternoon! Oscar here again, well it’s the final tonight between the hosts France and Portugal. Although the majority had Germany as slight favourites against France, I still believed France would win against them last Thursday and I at least got that prediction correct. They fully deserved it as well and Antoine Griezmann’s two goals (his 5th and 6th of the tournament) were the main difference. On to tonight, what another great game this could be! Although France are big favourites to win of course and not just because they’re the hosts. Facts don’t…

Good morning! Oscar here again, well I got the Wales v Portugal prediction wrong last night. Oh well, we move on but I was convinced Wales’ luck may just keep going, but I suppose Portugal were due a win eventually inside 90 minutes. Wales just didn’t look the same team though and maybe they had just ran out of steam. On to tonight, wow what a game this could be! The press and media have already started mentioning it could be as good as their World Cup semi-final at Spain ’82. What…

Or should I just say Portugal to just qualify for the next round? Just kidding… Hi, I’m Oscar and to be honest I haven’t enjoyed these Euro Championships as much as previous ones but it hasn’t stopped me watching as many games as possible. Unlike Kristian who’s also been blogging on this site and has been watching every single minute. That takes some doing for sure. Fair play to him! Anyway, I’m not going to go rambling on about my goings on and where I’m watching the match etc. Instead…

Follow @IJFootballBlogs Hello, my name is Ian and I’m going to be bringing you a brief blog each day of my match day goings on of trying to watch every Euro 2016 game. Second two Quarter Finals. Germany 1-1 Italy (6-5 pens) was an entertaining game, well I thought so but I had been drinking most of the day. After a catch up with friends in the afternoon and evening before the game started. Then with a few more friends in another pub where we sat right in front of the…

Follow @IJFootballBlogs Hello, my name is Ian and I’m going to be bringing you a brief blog each day of my match day goings on of trying to watch every Euro 2016 game. First two Quarter Finals. Poland 1-1 Portugal (3-5 pens) was the final outcome of Thursday night and I had no issues or other plans when this game was on, so sat happily at home at watched it. It did drag at times, especially in extra-time, but I thought it would all be different when Lewandowski scored in just…

So after another shambolic tournament exit, Roy’s reign as England manager is over, and thoughts turn to who should replace him. Hodgson is clearly a decent man, but there is no doubt that Euro 2016 was a massive underachievement for England, compounded by a series of baffling substitutions (or lack thereof). There was no way he could continue in the job. So let’s take a look at the potential candidates to replace him. It is my belief that the next England manager should be English. In fact I believe that…

Follow @IJFootballBlogs Hello, my name is Ian and I’m going to be bringing you a brief blog each day of my match day goings on of trying to watch every Euro 2016 game. Round of 16 – England v Iceland. Well, what can I say. I’ll give you three words how I currently feel this morning after the England game last night – angry, annoyed, appalled. I thought about the word ‘shocked’ but knowing a fair bit about Iceland’s talents and ability I thought it would be wrong to use that…